1
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction
after sawing the board in half, rasp the ends to remove any splinters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
the two siblings seemed intent on rasping each other for the entire car trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to wear
to damage or diminish by continued friction
during the last ice age, glaciers rasped the surface, leaving the deeply scarred rock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rasp
Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
In this case, there’s not much in the way of medication that can help; Dr. Mercado notes that OTC drugs haven’t actually been proven effective for softening a bad rasp.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 13 Feb. 2025
Steve Douglas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
And then Elisabeth uses it, and her spine splits open, leaving her a rasping husk of flesh while an alternate self rises, in the dewy buff, to survey her taut flesh with a clinical eye in the mirror.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rasp
Noun
Kennedy’s vocal rasp is not caused by an infection or respiratory condition.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
In this case, there’s not much in the way of medication that can help; Dr. Mercado notes that OTC drugs haven’t actually been proven effective for softening a bad rasp.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
City trailed 1-0 at halftime after Marcus Rashford’s rasping long-range strike in the eighth minute and a glaring miss from the prolific Haaland from barely two meters out.
—Steve Douglas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
And then Elisabeth uses it, and her spine splits open, leaving her a rasping husk of flesh while an alternate self rises, in the dewy buff, to survey her taut flesh with a clinical eye in the mirror.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rasp
Noun
-
And the project, essentially, was to build one of the world’s biggest football clubs from scratch.—
James Montague,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
-
The one-sheet recipes that arrive with each box, detailing how to make scratch ramen or mushroom Dijon chicken, are far less complicated than the process that got those ingredients to your door.—
Matthew Korfhage,
Wired News,
18 May 2025
Verb
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The project has been anchored by the relentless efforts of Wood and Orr, experts in rubbing elbows and working a crowd and the phones.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2025
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To reduce the risk of sticking or sacrificing any of your fish to the flames, rub the grill grates generously and preheat the grill well in advance.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2025
Verb
-
The links with current Saudi champions Al Hilal are genuine, and that should be the real concern for everyone at Old Trafford — not whether Fernandes is overrated, underrated or secretly wants to scrape his studs down Keane’s shins.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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Video footage on social media shows the ship — flying a huge Mexican flag — scraping the underside and its masts collapsing onto the deck.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
18 May 2025
Verb
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But until Tuesday afternoon, four days out, there had been no announcement of what acts would be performing, or even where the show would be held The radio silence annoyed fans, who said so online.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
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Nearly one-half of Republicans (52%) are annoyed with how much attention is being paid to climate change vs. only 13% for Democrats.—
Robert G. Eccles,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Cannon wears her children on her sleeve — literally.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
-
Some, including Yamal, covered themselves with their hoodies and strategically wore headphones over their ears.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
Noun
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My assumption is that most rational human beings would happily stay in a warm and cozy office and simply listen to the building creak and groan under the force of the violent gusts.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside Online,
11 Mar. 2025
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The set is a ship’s deck that tilts and creaks ominously while a screen plays eerily textured footage of a roiling ocean.—
Houman Barekat,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In a campaign finance report for last quarter filed in April, Riddle reported raising $30,302.02 in contributions and spending $4,321.01, leaving a balance of $25,981.01 as of March 31.—
Michael R. Wickline,
Arkansas Online,
20 May 2025
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And in 2018, the chain also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection but came out of it the next year.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Curry is 37 and played Sunday with his right thumb wrapped in athletic tape, nursing an ailment that has bugged him all season.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2025
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And for me, nothing bugs me more than engaging in social activities to check the box rather than making meaningful connections.—
Time,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rasp. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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